Key for computing and similar machines



fl- 6, 1940- w. A ANDERSON KEY FOR COMPUTING AND SIMILAR MACHINES FiledJune 29, 1938 INVENTOR WAL TE! A. ANDERSON 7 I ATTQRNEY patented Aug; 6,rec-e Walter A. Anderson, Bridgeport, Conn, assignor to Underwood,lEiliott Fisher Company, New Yorlr, N. a corporation oi DelawareApplication June 29, 1938, Serial No. 216,478

1 Claim.

This invention relates to keys such as are used on computing machinesand the like, and more particularly to a means for securing the key topsto the key stems.

Heretofore, key tops have been secured to the key stems by means of asmall screw which passed through a depending tab secured in the key top,and threaded into the key stern. This method, in addition to beingcostly, was not altogether satisfactory because the jar incident to theaction of the key restoring spring tended to loosen the screws,frequently causing them to fall out.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a keytop having a simple, emcient, and economical means of securing it to thekey stern, and which may be readily removed therefrom when desired.

With this and incidental objects in view, the invention consists incertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in the appended claim, and apreferred embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference tothe drawing which accompanies and forms part of the specification.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved key top and securing means,

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof taken on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1,

Figure 3 is a front view of the key top partly in section to clearlyshow the securing means, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view thereof.

The key top l is molded or otherwise suitably formed, preferably ofplastic material, with 2. depending clip 2 anchored therein as shown.Clip l 2 is preferably made of suitably tempered metal material and isprovided with a boss 3 in that portion which extends below the loweredge of key top i. A recess l (Figure 8) is provided in the key topadjacent one side of clip 2 to receive the upper end of the key stem 5.Key stem 5 is provided with an aperture ii to receive boss 3, as shownin Figure 3. The distance between the center of boss 3 and the base ofrecess is slightly less than the distance between tli; center ofaperture 5 and the base of recess l. Hence, when the key top is presseddownwardly, clip 2 springing to the right (Figure 3), and the base ofrecess l abuts the top of the key stem, an off center engagement of theboss with the aperture is efiected. This slight off center engagementcauses a constant tension between the boss and the key stem, and therebyprovides a removable but rigid connection between the parts.

It is readily seen that this method of attaching a key top obviates thenecessity of screws, and yet provides a means of rigidly maintaining thekey top in position on the stem, since the impact incident to therestoration of the key in no way affects the rigidity of the connection.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form ofembodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious forms all coming within the scope of the claim which follows.

What is claimed is:

A key including a two-piece cap consisting of a

